Head-Mounted AR Display With Multi-Depth Focus Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies struggle to provide a comfortable, natural-feeling presentation of virtual image elements amidst real-world imagery, particularly in situations requiring heightened focus and concentration, such as medical procedures or driving, due to accommodation-vergence mismatches and limitations in peripheral vision enhancement.
Innovation Solution
The development of a head-mounted augmented reality display system that provides enhanced image presentation on multiple depth planes, allowing simultaneous focus on central and peripheral objects with accurate accommodation and vergence matching, and incorporates sensors to monitor user intent and environmental conditions for optimized image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional AR/VR display systems present virtual image elements without transparency to real-world visual input, then virtual reality experience is achieved, but user comfort and natural perception deteriorate due to accommodation-vergence mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The display system segments the visual field into multiple depth planes, with each plane presenting virtual image elements at different focal distances. This allows the eyes to accommodate to different depths for different virtual objects while maintaining vergence alignment, resolving the accommodation-vergence mismatch problem and improving user comfort during extended VR/AR usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a depth dimension by creating multiple focal planes at different distances from the viewer. Instead of presenting all virtual images at a single plane, the system distributes them across multiple depth layers, enabling natural accommodation responses while maintaining the immersive VR/AR experience.
2Reliability
If AR systems present virtual image elements as augmentation to real-world visualization, then augmented reality experience is achieved, but peripheral vision enhancement and natural perception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The display system applies different optical characteristics to different regions of the visual field. Central vision receives high-resolution virtual image elements with precise focal positioning, while peripheral vision areas are optimized for broader coverage and natural integration with the real-world environment, enhancing both AR experience quality and peripheral vision comfort.
3Device complexity
If head-mounted displays present virtual content without considering accommodation-vergence matching, then device complexity is reduced, but user discomfort increases during extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the positioning and focal characteristics of virtual image elements across multiple depth planes based on user interaction and environmental context. This dynamic adaptation allows the display to maintain optimal accommodation-vergence matching without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, balancing simplicity with comfort for extended wear.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables long-term wearability and improved visual acuity in both central and peripheral fields of view, reducing user discomfort and enhancing focus on multiple tasks by providing realistic depth perception and adaptive image rendering.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide to transmit light from the display to the user's eye
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C-1~1C-2
AI summary
A display system can include a head-mounted display configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content to the user. The display system can include one or more user sensors configured to sense the user and can include one or more environmental sensors configured to sense surroundings of the user. The display system can also include processing electronics in communication with the display, the one or more user sensors, and the one or more environmental sensors. The processing electronics can be configured to sense a situation involving user focus, determine user intent for the situation, and alter user perception of a real or virtual object within the vision field of the user based at least in part on the user intent and/or sensed situation involving user focus. The processing electronics can be configured to at least one of enhance or de-emphasize the user perception of the real or virtual object within the vision field of the user.